"Do Appoint for Us a King"

 Samuel's sons could not have imagined how far the effects of their greed and selfishness would reach. The older men of Israel went on to say to Samuel: "Now do appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations." Did that demand feel like a rejection to Samuel? After all, he had been judging these people on Jehovah's behalf for decades. Now they wanted, not some mere prophet like Samuel, but a king to be their judge. The nations round about had kings and the Israelites wanted one too! How did Sauel react?  We read that "the thing was bad in the eyes of Samuel." - 1 SAMUEL 8:5, 6. 

Note how Jehovah responded when Samuel took the atter to him in prayer: "Listen to the voice of the people as respects all they say to you; for it is not you who they have rejected but is I whom they have rejected from being king over them." How comforting for Samuel, yet how awful an insult those people flung at Almighty God! Jehovah told his prophet to warn the Israelites of the high price they would pay for having a human king. When Samuel complied, they insisted: "No, but a king is what will come to be over us." Ever obedient to his God, Samuel went and anointed a king whom Jehovah chose. - 1 SAMUEL 8:7-19.

Next time: "Do Appoint for Us a King" - Conclusion

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